HEAVYWEIGHT fighter Flo "Black Panther" Simba could be back in the ring soon after passing all his medical check-ups, including a brain scan.
Simba, who turned 25 yesterday, has not fought since 2012, when he was stopped in the first round by Thabiso "The Rock" Mchunu in the semifinal of the Cruiserweight Super Eight tournament.
Simba, former IBO Youth heavyweight champion, had hoped to get a response form Boxing South Africa (BSA) regarding his comeback three weeks ago.
Trainer Harold Volbrecht had intended to feature his charge in Golden Gloves tournament that took place at Emperors Palace last night.
"Unfortunately, we have not heard anything from the board. The board was waiting for doctor Peter Ngatane [an executive board member of BSA] to present all the documents in front of them and make a decision. We are waiting patiently and everything from our side is positive," said Volbrecht yesterday. The veteran mentor guided Simba, an engineering student, to 12 wins from 16 fights.
The fighter said his two-year hiatus was not forced on him.
"It was on purpose. After my last fight I wanted to take a break. But I have been training and working at the same time," explained Simba.
"I only started helping guys in the gym with sparring in the last six months. That was because BSA had warned me not to engage in sparring before I do all my medicals. I sparred with Thomas Oosthuizen and Johnny Muller. I am fit like a horse."
Simba, who has been diabetic since the age of 17, said he was excited to hear from BSA manager Archie Nyingwa that chances of him being relicensed are good.
Ngatane agreed with Nyingwa.
"Flo has done all the medicals. I met with him and I explained that I presented everything to the board of BSA. He must wait for the recommendation because it is the board that grants licenses. Chances of him being relicensed are good."
Simba close to making a return
HEAVYWEIGHT fighter Flo "Black Panther" Simba could be back in the ring soon after passing all his medical check-ups, including a brain scan.
Simba, who turned 25 yesterday, has not fought since 2012, when he was stopped in the first round by Thabiso "The Rock" Mchunu in the semifinal of the Cruiserweight Super Eight tournament.
Simba, former IBO Youth heavyweight champion, had hoped to get a response form Boxing South Africa (BSA) regarding his comeback three weeks ago.
Trainer Harold Volbrecht had intended to feature his charge in Golden Gloves tournament that took place at Emperors Palace last night.
"Unfortunately, we have not heard anything from the board. The board was waiting for doctor Peter Ngatane [an executive board member of BSA] to present all the documents in front of them and make a decision. We are waiting patiently and everything from our side is positive," said Volbrecht yesterday. The veteran mentor guided Simba, an engineering student, to 12 wins from 16 fights.
The fighter said his two-year hiatus was not forced on him.
"It was on purpose. After my last fight I wanted to take a break. But I have been training and working at the same time," explained Simba.
"I only started helping guys in the gym with sparring in the last six months. That was because BSA had warned me not to engage in sparring before I do all my medicals. I sparred with Thomas Oosthuizen and Johnny Muller. I am fit like a horse."
Simba, who has been diabetic since the age of 17, said he was excited to hear from BSA manager Archie Nyingwa that chances of him being relicensed are good.
Ngatane agreed with Nyingwa.
"Flo has done all the medicals. I met with him and I explained that I presented everything to the board of BSA. He must wait for the recommendation because it is the board that grants licenses. Chances of him being relicensed are good."
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